GRUEN
One of the most important and prestigious American watch manufacturers! Gruen watch company was an American watch company founded in 1874 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA by German-born watchmaker Dietrich Gruen. “On December 22, 1874, Gruen obtained a patent for an improved safety pinion, and it is the date recognized by the Gruen Watch Company as the start of its business.”
In 1894, Dietrich, along with his eldest son, Frederick G. Gruen, started as “D. Gruen & Son” and years later, the second son George J., joined the firm and the name was changed to “D. Gruen & Sons”.
The company quickly became a major player in the American watch industry, prove of that, one of the company's most significant contributions to the watchmaking industry, the Gruen Precision movement. Introduced in the 1930s, it was a highly accurate and reliable movement that quickly gained a reputation for excellence.
The Gruen Precision movement was an improvement over earlier Gruen movements and incorporated several new features, including a Breguet hairspring, a micrometer regulator, and a higher beat rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour. The movement was also designed to be more shock-resistant and durable than previous Gruen movements.
They were used in a range of watches, including both men's and women's models. It was particularly popular in chronograph watches, which required a high level of accuracy and precision.
Today, vintage Gruen watches with the Precision movement are highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts. These watches are prized for their historical significance, as well as their craftsmanship and reliability.
"The Gruen Precision is a nice, elegant watch with a movement that may not be seen as modern. Nonetheless, it offers an innovative style that is simply spectacular."
GRUEN Barclay
Gruen Spider
21 Jewels Precision
Wristwatch
Without doubt, this UNIQUE timepiece came from a time machine! We are talking about the famous and always wanted: the Gruen Barclay, also called Gruen Spider. It is a vintage Gruen Precision wristwatch style 723 and dated from 1950. This model is easily one of the most distinct pieces from Gruen’s archives.
It is a manual wind watch featuring an original Gruen Precision and Veri-Thin Patented movement caliber 335, 21 jewels, sub-second, 18,000 A/h, 37 hours power reserve, U.S.A. made.
It still has the original champagne dial with gold hour markers, bold minue track and gold matching hands. The sub-second is located at 6 positions. The dial is also signed with the Gruen name, Precision and 21.
With a classy and desirable look, this watch is also an eccentric piece. It is a cased in a 30.5mm round case that is surrounded by an almost free-floating cage that is attached by gorgeously twisted, narrow lugs; all in 10K yellow gold filled. The cage and the lug design give this watch a unique silhouette that is reminiscent of a spider.
This watch comes with a new-old-stock black Genuine Lizard two-piece strap.
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or respectful offers.
Movement:
GRUEN
Cincinnati U.S.A.
21 Jewels
Precision
Veri Thin Patented
Cal. 335
Case Back Markings:
Cased & Timed in U.S.A.
By Gruen Watch Co.
10K Gold Filled
C96732
335 723
Measurements (mm):
Case Diameter 30.5
Case Diameter w/Crown 31.4
Case Lug to Lug 41.4
Case Thickness 10.2
Lug Width 16
Band Width 16
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust lighting when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.
The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.
Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!
WA-3437
